EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

EQUITY [Abstract]

Shares Purchased and Retired

	September 30	December 31	September 30
in thousands, except average price	2019	2018	2018
Shares Purchased and Retired
Number	19	1,192	866
Total purchase price	$          2,602	$      133,983	$        99,916
Average price per share	$        139.90	$        112.41	$        115.31

Changes in Total Equity

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30		September 30
in thousands, except per share data	2019	2018	2019	2018
Total Equity
Balance at beginning of period	$    5,371,447	$    5,020,630	$    5,202,903	$    4,968,893
Net earnings	215,713	179,151	476,569	391,783
Common stock issued
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares
withheld for taxes	(12,091)	(32)	(37,528)	(31,370)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	(2,602)	(24,995)	(2,602)	(99,916)
Share-based compensation expense	10,445	6,887	24,815	21,650
Cash dividends on common stock
($0.31/$0.28/$0.93/$0.84 per share, respectively)	(41,016)	(36,996)	(122,943)	(111,192)
Other comprehensive income	343	1,144	1,025	5,941
Balance at end of period	$    5,542,239	$    5,145,789	$    5,542,239	$    5,145,789